As of current, there is no known cure for the terrible disease widely known as Multiple Sclerosis (MS), which slowly kills off the myelin in the brain and inevitably deteriorates the brain as a whole. By attacking the myelin and creating gaps in the axonal pathways, MS deprives the brain of its chance at remyelination, leaving no way to fight back. These constant attacks wear down victims of MS both internally and externally. MS patients face many unpleasant symptoms, including fatigue, body pains, spasticity, loss of coordination and strength, and much more. Even if there is no cure yet, there are many research studies which are aiming to find ways to reduce the daily struggle that MS incurs.
In a recent study, researchers addressed the main issue- on how to enhance remyelination, by specifically targeting the integrated stress response (ISR). The ISR is how oligodendrocytes- the damage control neurons- respond to CNS inflammation, which is triggered by MS. The molecule Sephin1 has also been found to enhance this response, protecting nerve cells and reducing demyelination caused by MS. Through several trials, researchers wanted to see the
inverse effect of the inhibited response and levels of remyelination. The results showed that the activated ISR was increasing regeneration of myelin. The researchers also found that the combination of Sephin1 with the compound Bazedoxifene (BZA) further improved remyelination. The animal subjects were tested and observed with these effects. The axonal pathways in the brain would be triggered by forced inflammation, and then “treated” with activated ISR- whether pharmacologically administered or genetically edited. In the end, researchers concluded that increased ISR resulted in higher levels of remyelination and protected oligodendrocytes. Especially after the use of Sephin1 and BZA, there was an enhanced reaction with the remyelination process.
In another study whose researchers also tackle Multiple Sclerosis (MS), scientists Stefanie Linnhoff, Aiden Haghikia, and Tino Zaehleuse aimed to learn more about the fatiguability of Multiple Sclerosis, and even diminish the effects of fatigue on MS patients. They used both sham tests and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of MS patients- they had 18 subjects. EEGs were also used to assess fatigued areas and neuronal activity, and this helped determine that the use of tDCS in intervals on the left DLPFC resulted in a general decrease in subjective fatigue ratings; those of which would go until a month after the simulations.
Fatiguability was measured with time-on-task-related changes in reaction time variability and P300 amplitude. In comparison to the sham tests, the results were much stronger. The results confirmed the intricate connection between MS-associated fatigue and fatiguability. Researchers established the foundation for future studies, and confirmed that there is further research needed in order to advance possible treatments. This research has proven that the tDCS method is efficient and that it can be used again in future studies. There is also potential for aiding MS patients in the future through other techniques, even the idea of lasting change.
References:
Chen, Y., Kunjamma, R. B., Weiner, M., Chan, J. R., & Popko, B. (2021). Prolonging the integrated stress response enhances CNS remyelination in an inflammatory environment. eLife, 10. https://doi.org/10.7554/elife.65469
Linnhoff, S., Haghikia, A. & Zaehle, T. Effects of repetitive twice-weekly transcranial direct
current stimulations on fatigue and fatigability in people with multiple sclerosis.
Sci Rep 13, 5878 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-32779-y
.
No comments:
Post a Comment